The brand new Google TV Streamer is launching tomorrow and we’ve had the possibility to check one out for the previous week or so. Since I don’t contemplate us to have had sufficient time to finish a full assessment, I assumed we might at the very least stroll by way of some first impressions on the gadget, as a result of I do know that a few of you’re contemplating one.
First, for these who missed out on this announcement simply previous to the Made by Google occasion for the Pixel 9, there was a brief online-only Google TV Streamer unveiling. The gadget is Google’s new streaming product that can take the place of the Chromecast with Google TV, has a extra highly effective processor to cut back the sluggishness that plagued that outdated unit, helps 4K HDR content material and all the Dolby stuff, and is priced at $99. It additionally sports activities a brand new type issue that’s larger and is supposed to take a seat on a shelf or your TV stand.
So to recap, the Google TV Streamer is a costlier Google TV-powered gadget with double the value, extra energy, extra storage and RAM, and an even bigger type issue than the Chromecast with Google TV.
What’s good about it to date?
Efficiency enhancements are large. The unique Chromecast with Google TV just isn’t a tool I take care of. Whereas I recognize the low worth and small type issue, that gadget all the time pissed off me with a variety of bugs, in addition to its sluggish efficiency when first booting up and virtually every other interactions I had with it. It might velocity up the extra you used it in a session, however total, the gadget was annoying sufficient in use that I took it off of most of my TVs as a result of I simply had so many points with it.
The brand new Google TV Streamer is alleged to convey a “big leap in efficiency” by way of a brand new processor that has a 22% sooner CPU. Google additionally doubled storage to 32GB and bumped the RAM to 4GB. After spending a number of days with it, all I can let you know is that there actually is a large enchancment in efficiency. That is night time and day ranges of enchancment.
The gadget boots virtually immediately and is prepared so that you can transfer in regards to the UI directly. The outdated unit wanted to heat up and sometimes lagged for the primary couple of minutes, whereas this one simply works. Like, I plugged it in, turned it on, set issues up, and it’s run flawlessly with velocity and smoothness. It additionally appears to have auto-adopted correct quantity controls on one TV that I’ve a soundbar by way of and has even been in a position to management the facility of this tremendous low-cost TCL TV I preserve in my storage.
I’ve had the outdated Chromecast with Google TV on at the very least two totally different TVs in my home and each have skilled this difficulty the place they don’t activate with the press of the facility button, so that you sometimes have to bodily unplug them from the again of the TV with a view to get them to then work. It’s been an ongoing mess that I’ve needed to cope with as a result of both my spouse or child can’t attain these spots to unplug and replug. This new Google TV streamer hasn’t had any of these points, activates the TVs I’ve programmed it to, and is commonly fired up and energetic earlier than the TV has even absolutely turned on. It’s been wonderful.
Once more, we’re nonetheless testing this gadget on as many TVs as I can, however to date this actually is trying just like the “big leap” that Google claims.
New distant is superior. One of many different large adjustments for this new Google TV Streamer comes by way of the distant. The outdated Chromecast with Google TV distant was tiny, slippery as hell, and never very enjoyable to make use of due to its total measurement and placement of quantity buttons. For the Google TV Streamer, Google made the distant larger, moved the quantity rocker, and added a brand new programmable shortcut button.
Guys, this distant would possibly solely be about an inch longer, however it’s a large enchancment. That little little bit of size and the transfer of the quantity buttons makes for a extra pure or acquainted distant expertise. You simply don’t must fidget with it as a lot with a view to hit the correct buttons. It additionally has a slight texture to the again, so it’s much less slippery. And the little favourite button that changed the enter switcher is fairly helpful – I programmed mine to open the brand new Google Residence panel.
What are we nonetheless ?
The brand new, larger design. So far as our continued testing goes, we’re nonetheless attempting to resolve what we take into consideration the brand new design that’s larger and requires shelf house close to your TV. The outdated Chromecast with Google TV’s greatest promoting level was the truth that you might bury it behind your TV and by no means (in idea) have to the touch it once more. This new unit is just too large for that, so you would need to attempt to mount it to a wall otherwise you’ll have to discover a good place to set it. For many who would possibly hate the concept of getting to cover cables and wires, yeah, that’ll be tougher with this one.
The design isn’t offensive or something. It’s like an rectangular puck with a triangular carry on the underside and clear exterior that is available in both Hazel or Porcelain. It requires USB-C energy and HDMI, so there are going to be at the very least two cables popping out of the again that you just’ll have to do one thing with. There’s a community port too if that’s your factor.
The gadget will look effective sitting subsequent to or below your TV, in case you had been questioning. It’s not a big gadget and it has that Google Residence-esque vibe to it that ought to mix in properly to furnishings and your different ornamental gadgets.
Can it change my SHIELD TV or Apple TV? The opposite factor we’re nonetheless attempting to determine is that if this gadget is sweet sufficient to exchange the god-tier Android TV gadget, aka the SHIELD TV, that we have now round the home. We additionally use an Apple TV 4K on our important LG OLED TV, in order that’ll be one other battle to discover a winner from.
Image high quality, usability, and so on. And at last, we’re nonetheless trying on the apparent stuff, like image high quality on a bunch of various gadgets. I’m nonetheless coping with app annoyances (that aren’t Google’s fault) from one platform to the following too, plus we simply have to reside with the Google TV Streamer longer than the week we’ve had it. This stuff want extra testing than that.
Acquired any questions for us?
